PREFACE
THE Russian Revolution is one of the great heroic
events of the world's history. It is natural to compare
it to the French Revolution, but it is in fact something
of even more importance. It does more to change daily
life and the structure of society: it also does more to
change men's beliefs. The difference is exemplified by
the difference between Marx and Rousseau: the latter
sentimental and soft, appealing to emotion, obliterating
sharp outlines; the former systematic like Hegel, full
of hard intellectual content, appealing to historic
necessity and the technical development of industry,
suggesting a view of human beings as puppets in the
grip of omnipotent material forces* Bolshevism com-
bines the characteristics of the French Revolution with
those of the rise of Islam; and the result is something
radically new, which can only be understood by a
patient and passionate effort of imagination.
Before entering upon any detail, I wish to state, as
clearly and unambiguously as I can, my own attitude
towards this new thing.
By far the most important aspect of the Russian
Revolution is as an attempt to realize Socialism. I
believe that Socialism is necessary to the world, and
believe that the heroism of Russia has fired men's
hopes in a way which was essential to the realization
of Socialism in the future. Regarded as a splendid
attempt, without which ultimate success would have
been very improbable, Bolshevism deserves the
7